Game.



F. c. CREW.

GAME. APPLICATION FILED MAY 2, 1912. 1,053,788. Patented Feb. 18, 1 13.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

. m M588 8.- w Q mmvron @Q w N I fans-s7 6f 655w,

WW I

nrronuns- F. C. CREW.

GAME.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 2,1912. 1,053,788. Patented Feb. 18, 1913. -2 s sums-sum 2.

WITNESS'ES. INVENTOH ATTORNEYS FOREST CLYDE CREW OF HELENA, MONTANA.

GAME.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 18, 1913,

Application filed May 2, 1912. Serial No. 894,609.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Fonns'r C. Crew, a citizen of the United States, residing at Helena, in the county of Lewis and Clark and State of Montana, have invented a new and. useful Improvement in Games, of which the following is a specification. I

My invention is an improvement in games, and consists in certain novel constructions, and combinations of parts, hereinafter described and claimed.

The object of the invention is to provide an improvement in games, in which is provided aboard representing a base ball field, and a series of figuresrepresenting the players, and wherein the figures may be manipulated on the board to imitate the movements of actual players in a game of ball.

Referring to the drawings forming a part hereof, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the game board. Fig. 2 is a plan view. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section. Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the drum on the line 4-4 of Fig. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 5 is a vertical section of the drum. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the plate and forked arms. Fig. 7 is a front view of the figure representing the pitcher. Fig. 8 is a similar view of the figure representing the batter. Fig. 9 is a section on the line 99 of Fig. 10, and Fig. 10 is a partial vertical section of Fig. 7 or 8.

In the present embodiment of the invention, a hollow substantially rectangular casing 1 is provided, and the upper face 2 of' the casing is inclosed or partially inclosed by a marginal flange 3, representing a fence, and at one end, and along the adjacent ends of the sides the flange is heightened at 4, to represent the grand stand, and the flange at 3 and 4 may be painted or printed to represent the fence and stand, as shown in Fig. 1. At its center, the upper face of the casing is provided with a diamond shaped slot 5, representing the diamond of a base ball field, and at the corner of the diamond representing the catchers position, the portions of the slot forming the sides of the diamond are extended as at 6 for a short distance straight, thence at right angles as at 7, thence curved as at 8, and thence backwardly at 9 parallel with the ortion 7 to a junction with the portion 6. t the three corners" of the diamond remote from the catchers corner representations 10 of the base bags are placed, and outside of the diamond behind the catchers position is arranged a net 11, supported between two uprights 12, secured to the casing. Outside of the diamond, at points corresponding to the positions occupied by the outfielders, are arranged three annular slots 13, 14 and 15, and between each pair of annular slots is arranged an opening 16 and 17 covered by netting 18.

A plurality of figures 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 are provided, shaped to represent players, the figure 19, being shaped to'represent a pitcher, and having its arms 24 raised as if in the act of pitching, the figure 20 representing the batter, and having in its hands a bat 25, the figure 21 representing the catcher, and having in the arms a large catching bell 26, the figure 22 representing the runners, and the figure 23 representing the fielders, and each having in its hands a catching bell 27. It will be noticed that for purposes of convenience the batter 20 and catcher 21 are arranged inside of the diamond, the representation 28 of the home plate being adjacent to the corner of the diamond shaped slot but not on the corner. The runners however follow the slot, and in this movement do not interfere with the catcher and batsman.

The operating mechanism for the fi res consists of a shaft 29 journaled vertica v in the casing, between the to 2 and the bottom 30, and a drum 31 is integral with the shaft, the said drum having on the periphery thereof an annular groove 32, near its top, and a series 33 of spaced notches near its bottom. To the upper face of the drum a circular plate'34 is secured by screws 35, and the plate is provided with four radial lugs 36. An arm 37 is secured to each lug and extends radially from the drum, and the free end of each arm is forked as shown at 38, the arms 39 of the fork being parallel as shown in Fig. 6. -A second shaft 40 is journaled vertically in a step'bearing 41 on a bracket arm 42, extending from a reinforcing board 43 on the bottom 30 of the casing, and the shaft has secured thereon a drum 44, provided with an annular groove 45. A rope belt 46 connects the drum 44 with the rum 31, running in. the rooves 45 and 32, and the shaft 40 is exten ed upwardly through an opening 47 in the to of thecasing, and is provided with a mille d head 48, for convenience in turning the shaft, the said head being directly behind the net or back stop 10. A detent lever 49 is pivoted to the board 43 at 50 adjacent to the drum 31, and a roller 51 on one end of the lever engages one of the notches 33.

A spring 52 is arranged between the other end of the detent lever and a pin 53 in the board 43, and holds the lever with the roller in engagement with a notch of the drum to prevent reverse rotation thereof (Fig. 4). Each of the figures 22 representing the base runners, is represented as in the act of running, and that part which is on the caslng is provided with a depending pin 54, passing through the slot in the to of the table, and having collars 55, one a ve and one below the table. The pin extends 1nto pos1- tion for engagement by the fork of one of the arms37, the shafto29 being ournaled at approximately the center of the diamond, and the pin is received bet-ween the arms 39 of the fork. The pin 54 fits the slots 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 loosely, so that when the arm engaged therewith moves, the figure will be constrained to move, the pin following the slot. Adjacent to each of the fielders 23 is arranged a vertical drum 56, the said drums being journaled coaxial with the annular slots 13, 14 and 15, between the top and bottom of the casing. Each. drum has journaled thereon a collar 57 provided with a radial arm 58, and each arm has at its free end an angular portion 59, extending upwardly through the slot, to which the adjacent figure 23 is secured. The collar rests upon a shoulder on the drum to prevent downward movement, and the figure is free to revolve around the drum, the portion 59 of the arm passing through the slot. The figures maybe thus moved to bring the catching bell into position to receive the ball when struck by the batter. The figures representing the batter and the pitcher are provided with a similar mechanism for operating them, one to throw the ball, and the other to swing the bat, see Figs. 9 and '10.

Each figure is divided transversely, and the lower portion 60 is provided with a pm 61, upon which the upper portion or section is journaled. The upper portion or section 62 is recessed longitudinally at the lower end,

and a spring 63 encircles the pin in the recess, one end of the spring being secured to the pin, and the other to a plate 64 on the lower end of the section. The lower section is also provided with a plate 65, the plates 64 and 65 moving on each other. The

. spring holds the sections in normal or natural position, and a lever 66 is pivoted at 67 in a recess 68 in the lower section, and is normally held in horizontal position -by a spring 68. The lever is provlded with a notch at its inner end, forming a shoulder 69, for engaging a notch 70 in the plate 64, to hold the sections in such position that the spring 63 will be under tenslon.

When the ball is to be thrown, it is placed in the holder 71 in the hand of the pltcher, and the upper section of the figure is turned by the lever 66 to bring the spring 63 under tension, and the sections are locked in this position by the engagement of the lever with the notch. The batsmans figure is manipulated in the same manner, and when both figures are set, the levers are depressed either simultaneously or in' succession. The upper sections are thus released, and the ball is thrown, and the batsman swings the bat. The ball will be delivered when the motion of the upper section of the figure 19 is checked, and if the checking takes place at the proper point, the ball will be thrown over the plate. As it passes the batter the bat swings, and if the ball is struck, the fielders are moved in the annular slots, to bring them into position to receive the ball in the catching baskets or bells. If the batsman misses the ball it will pass and fall into the catching bell or basket of the catcher. It will be understood that the fig- .ures representing the pitcher, catcher and batter are secured to the casing top. Vhen the figures representing the runners are not in use, they may be moved out into the slots 6, 7, Sand 9, which represent the benches. If desired, representations 72 of placards and signs etc. may be supported on the flanges 3. It will be observed that the portions 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the slot form a by-pass to permit the figures 22 to be disengaged from the arms of the fork, and to permit the figures to be reversed, and the said. fig-e ures 22 may be. moved around the diamond by turning the head 48.

I claim 1. A device of the character specified, com prising a casing having in the upper surface thereof-a slot, the slot forming a substantially diamond shaped figure, the portions of the slot forming the sides of the figure being extended at one corner beyond the figure, the said extended portions being in loop shape, the said upper surface having a slot in ring shape adjacent to each of the other corners of the diamond shaped figure, a plurality of figures movable in the first named slot, a figure movable in each of the last named slots, a shaft journaled vertically in the casin at approximately the center of the diamon shaped figure, a drum on the shaft, a plurality of arms extending radially from the drum, each arm having a forked outer end, each of the figures in the diamond shaped slot having :1 depending pin for engagement by the arms of a fork, a net supported adjacent to the first named corner of the diamond shaped figure, a shaft ournaled in the casing outside of the net, means for turning the shaft outside of the casing, a connection between the shaft and the drum for rotating said drum, means for preventing reverse rotation of the drum, and means for moving each of the figures in the ring shaped slots.

'2. A device of the character specified, comprising a casing having in the upper surface thereof a slot, the slot forming a substantially diamond shaped figure, the portions of the slot forming the sides of the figure being extended at one corner beyond the figure, the said extended portions being in loop shape, the said upper surface having a slot in ring shape adjacent to each of the other corners of the diamond shaped figure, a plurality of figures movable in the first named slot, a figure movable in each of the last named slots, a shaft journaled vertically in the casing at approximately the center of the diamond shaped figure, a drum on the shaft, a plurality of arms extending radially from the drum, each arm having a forked outer end, each of the figures in the diamond shaped slot having a depending pin for engagement by the arms of a fork, means outside of the casing for rotating the drum, and means for preventing reverse rotation thereof.

3. A device of the character specified, comprising a casing having in the upper surface thereof a slot, the slot forming a substantially diamond shaped figure, the portions of the slot forming the sides of the figure being extended at one corner beyond the figure, the said extended portions being in loop shape, the said upper surface having a slot in ring shape adjacent. to each of the other corners of the diamond shaped figure, a plurality of figures movable in the first named slot, a figure movable in each of the last named slots, and means for moving the figures in the diamond shaped slot.

4. A device of the character specified, comprising a casing having in the top thereof a slot forming a substantially diamond shaped figure, the slot being continued beyond the figure at. one corner to form a plurality of by-passes, a plurality of figures, each having a depending pin passing through the slot, a drum journaled in the casing at approximately the center of the diamond shaped figure, a plurality of radial arms on the drum, each arm havin a forked free end for engaging the pm of a figure,

consisting of upper and lower sections, the

upper section being rotatable on the lower section, a spring holding the section in normal position, a catch for turning the upper sections on the lower section, and for looking said section with the spring under tension, the fi ure representim the itcher having a ball iolding cup, and the gure representin the batsman having a bat, a plurality o figures movable on the upper face of the casing outside of the diamond sha ed figure, each having a catching bell and being movable to bring the bell into position to receive the ball, and means for rotating the drum. r

5. A device of the character specified, comprising a casing having in the top thereof a slot forming a substantially diamond shaped figure, the slot being continued beyond the figure at one corner to form a plurality of by-passes, a lurality of figures, each having a depen ing pin passing through the slot, a drum journaled in the casing at approximately the center of the diamond shaped figure, a plurality of radial arms on the drum, each arm havin a forked free end for engaging the pin 0 a figure, to move said figure in the diamond shaped slot, means for rotating the drum, a plurality of figures representing fielders movable on the upper face of the casing outside of the diamond shaped figure, each having a catching bell, a figure representing a catcher secured tothe casing top and provided with a catching bell, figures representing a batsman and a pitcher secured to the casing top adjacent to the last named figure, the former having a bat and the latter a ball holder, each of said last named figures consisting of upper and lower sections, a spring for moving the upper section of each figure, means for locking said upper section with the spring under tension, and means for releasing the spring.

6. A device of the character specified, comprising a casing having in the top thereof a slot forming a substantially diamond shaped figure, the slot being continued beyond the figure at one corner to form a plurality of by-passes, a plurality of figures, each having a depending pin passing through the slot, a drum journaled in the casing at approximately the center of the diamond shaped figure, a plurality of radial arms on the drum, each arm having a forked free end for engaging the pin of a figure, to move said figure in the diamond shaped slot, means for rotating the drum, a pluralmond shaped figure, the slot being continued beyond the fi ure at one corner to form a plurality of y-passes, a (plurality of figures, each having a depen ing pin passing through the slot, a drum journaled in the casing at approximately the center of the diamond shaped figure, a plurality of radial arms on the drum, each arm having a forked free end for engaging the pin 0 a figure, to move said figure in the diamond shaped slot, and a plurality of figures secured to the upper face of the casing adjacent to the said corner of the diamond shaped figure,.

said figures representing a pitcher, batsman and catcher, the latter figure havin a catching bell, the two former figures eac consisting of upper and lower sections, the upper section being rotatable on the lower section,

- a spring holding the section in normal position, a catch for turning the upper section on the lower section, and for locking said section wit-h the spring under tension, the figure representing the pitcher having a ball holding cup, and the figure representing the batsman having a bat, a plurality of figures movable on the upper face of the casing outside of the diamond shaped figure, each having a catching bell and being movable to bring the bell into position to receive the ball, and means for rotating the drum.

8. A device of the character specified, comprising a casing having on the top thereof a slot forming a substantially dia moud shaped figure, the slot being continued beyond the figure at one corner to form a plurality of by-passes, a plurality of figures, each having a depending pin passing through the slot, and means inside of the casing and engaging the pins to move the figures. v

9. A device of the character specified, comprising a casing having on the top thereof, a substantially diamond shaped figure, a plurality of figures representing runners, means inside of the casing for moving said figures along the outline of the diamond shaped figure, means for striking the ball, a plurality of figures representing fielders, each figure having a catchersbell,and means for mounting said figures to permit them to be moved to bring the. bell into position to receive the ball, said means comprising an annular slot in the casing top a shaft journaled in the casing coaxial with the slot, and a rin journaled on the shaft and having a radia arm, said arm having an angular portionextending through the slot and secured to the figure.

10. A device of the character specified, comprising a casing having on the to thereof, a substantially diamond shaped gure, a plurality of figures representlng runners, means inside of the casing for moving said figures along the outline of the diamond shaped figure, means for striking the ball, a plurality of figures re resenting fielders, each figure havin a catchers bell, and means for mounting said figures to permit them to be moved to bring the bell into position to receive the ball. 7 v

11. Ina device of the character specified, a figure comprising upper and lower sections, the lower sect-ion being fixed and the upper being rotatable thereon, a spring holding the sections in normal position, a lever for moving the upper section,a catch for engagement by the lever to hold the sections with the spring under tension, said lever being pivotally mounted to permit it to be disengaged from the catch, said upper section having a) laterally extending arm provided with a holder.

12. In a device of the character specified,

a figure comprismg upper and lower sections, the lower section being fixed and the upper being rotatable thereon, a spring holding the sections in normal position, a lever for moving the upper. section, a catch for engagement by the lever to hold the sections with the spring under tension, said lever being pivotally mounted to permit it to be disengaged from the catch, said upper section having a laterally extending arm.

13. In a device of the character specified, a'figure comprising upper and lower sec tions, the lower section being fixed and the upper being rotatable thereon, a spring holding the sections in normal position, a lever for moving the upper section, and releasable means for holding the lever with the spring under tension, the upper section having a laterally extending arm.

14. In a device of the character specified, a figure comprising upper and lower sections, the lower section being fixed and the upper being rotatable thereon, a spring holding the sections in normal position.

means for moving the upper section against the resistance of the spring, and means for releasably holding the section with the spring under tension.

15.. In a device of the character specified, comprising a casing having the representation of a base ball field on the top thereof, a plurality of figures representing fielders, each figure having a catching bell, and

means for mounting the said figures to perlever for moving the upper section against mit them to be moved to bring the bell into the resistance of said means, said upper secposition to receive the ball. tion having a laterally extending arm.

16. In a device of the character specified, FOREST CLYDE CREW. 5 a figure comprising a fixed section and a sec- Witnesses:

t-ion rotatable thereon, yielding means for RICHARD LOCKEY,

holding the sections in normal position, a v FRANK H. DONALDSON. 

